Impressive Surenaga claims Chaddesley success

Buy photos » Qozak and Tom Weston (blue) are inseperable from Rumbavu and Sam Waley Cohen at the second from home in the Mens Open. (s)

BRIDGNORTH trainer Phillip Rowley left the Wheatland Point-to-Point at Chaddesley Corbett on a high after Surenaga’s emphatic win in the Ladies Open on Sunday afternoon.

Chestnut Annie has been a prolific winner between the flags down in Wales for the past three years and

Sally Randall adopted her customary front running role on the favourite whose jumping was faultless as normal.

Approaching the 13th there were signs the pursuers had started to reduce the deficit, although Lady Myfanwy’s effort petered out up the final hill, whereas Jane Williams and Surenaga were starting to get into full stride. They collared the leader at the third from home and although the mare battled on bravely her chances of success diminished with every stride in the home straight.

Rowley admitted to shouting himself hoarse as his charge drew clear over the final three fences.

“I did wonder if I was doing anything wrong as this horse had won the Dudley Cup last year. I can only put the improvement down to the horse having less weight to carry. He has been sharpened up by the blinkers and was given a great ride by Jane,” he said.

The winner was ridden by Enville based jockey Jane Williams who told winning owner Ken Price afterwards: “The horse was brilliant. I thought they had gone off too fast but couldn’t afford them to go too far clear. He made a couple of mistakes but luckily was there when I came back down in the saddle.”

Earlier in the day, Rowley had taken the Members with Ease and Grace. The favourite History Master led for the first half of the contest before being caught and then passed by Alex Edwards and Ease and Grace. The leader could be called the winner fully three fences from home and stayed on strongly to prevail by two and a half-lengths.

The Restricted had to be divided on the day and on paper, the first half looked the stronger but it turned out to be a stroll for the well backed Just Gizmo.

Zipit and Tom Weston led after a couple of fences and continued to maintain that position but looked vulnerable as Just Gizmo challenged meeting the rising ground. Ben Poste’s mount held a clear advantage at the 16th and the jockey just needed to push him out with hands and heels to hold the challenge of French Canadian and Zipit over the remaining two fences.

The Albrighton qualified gelding runs in the colours of Mike Mann while the horse is trained at Burnthill Green by Sue Taylor. She explained: “I got the horse when owner/breeder Mike Parr retired from racing. He can gallop but I thought he was beaten until a colleague pointed out that I was looking at the wrong horse.”

Division II of the Restricted went to the Charlie Willes trained Quatour Collonges under a well-judged ride by Ali Sterling. The lead changed hands on a number of occasions during the first half of the race before Ali Sterling’s mount hit the front on the climb into the home straight.

The North West and West Midland Area Club race went to Udeman who was never in danger of defeat after taking the lead at halfway.

Rumbavu took the Mens Open in the hands of Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Waley Cohen. Tom Weston produced Qozak with a perfectly timed run to hold a brief lead at the 16th but Rumbavu gained a length over his rival with a better jump at the last which proved decisive on the run to the judge.

The General Lee’s success in the Radnor and West Herefordshire Ladies Open the previous day allowed Jane Williams to draw level with Jacqueline Coward in the race for the Ladies Championship in a battle which is likely to dominate the remaining weeks of the season.

The General Lee held an eight-length advantage at the fourth from home, but a window of opportunity appeared for Power Shared as he began to close the gap. Miss Williams had kept a bit up her sleeve though and the favourite drew clear over the final two fences.

Co owner Jim Squire, who is closely involved in course preparation work at Chaddesley Corbett, said afterwards: “We are and will be doing all we can to help Jane in her quest for the Championship. Hopefully with the help of Shernally and this horse we will be able to see her home. We hope to get another three runs into The General Lee before the end of the season. She has other horses to ride so will fit into these plans”.

Claudia Wilesmith had a runner at Coldharbour but Never So Blue was never seen with the chance in the 4-miler but the Upton-upon-Severn based trained enjoyed better luck on another of her long distance safari’s down South where she landed her 11th winner of the season.

The Magherally Man and Will Telfer had teamed up to score an impressive win at Brampton Bryan recently. They added a Holnicote Intermediate to their CV finishing two-lengths clear of I’m in Charge with half a length back to the favourite Googoobarajagal.

Results: Members - 1. Ease and Grace 7-4, 2. Shales Ay Jay, 3. History Master; Restricted (Division 1) - 1. Just Gizmo 9-4, 2. French Canadian, 3. Zipit; Restricted (Division 2) - 1. Quatour Collonges 7-2, 2. The Navvy, 3. Squinch; NW & WMAC Members Conditions - 1. Udeman 7-4 Fav, 2. Stone, 3. Ice Bucket; Mens Open - 1. Rumbavu 11-4, 2. Qozak, 3. Ned The Post; Ladies Open - 1. Surenaga 9-2; 2. Chesnut Annie; 3. Lady Myfanwy; WMAC Club Members Conditions - 1. Bellosguardo 13-2, 2. Hope Sound, 3. Smugglers’ Run; Open Maiden (Division 1) - 1. Skoobiddle 6-1, 2. Windy Arbour, 3. Irish Lace; Open Maiden (Division 2) - 1. Royal Role 11-10 Fav, 2. Thinkaboutthat, 3. Duke Special.

Regional sport »